The Bai Luotuo North exploration well has spudded in offshore Vietnam, with pre-drill resource potential of up to 80 million barrels of oil equivalent

Murphy Oil has disclosed that its Lac Da Trang North 1X exploration well in Block 15 1/05 off the coast of Vietnam spudded in July 2026. The pre-drill estimated total recoverable resource potential for the well ranges from 40 to 80 million barrels of oil equivalent. The drilling results will determine whether this prospect can be tied back to the existing development facilities of the adjacent Lac Da Vang field.

Lac Da Trang means "White Camel". The project is located in the Cuu Long Basin, off the southern coast of Vietnam. Murphy Oil holds a 40% interest in Block 15 1/05 and acts as operator, with PVEP (a subsidiary of PetroVietnam) holding 35% and SK Earthon holding the remaining 25%.

The North 1X now being drilled is not the first exploration well on the Lạc Đà Trắng structure. Murphy Oil previously drilled Lạc Đà Trắng 1X in April 2019 and announced a hydrocarbon discovery, with the results subsequently incorporated into the development evaluation of the adjacent Lạc Đà Vàng field. North 1X will further test the resource potential in the northern part of the structure, but until logging, coring and necessary formation tests are completed, the pre drill estimates cannot be converted into discoveries or recoverable reserves.

White Camel North is located close to the Golden Camel development project, which is currently under construction. Murphy Oil has indicated that if the well proves commercially viable, the resources could be tied back via subsea pipelines to the Golden Camel production facilities, avoiding the need for a standalone full offshore processing system. This option remains contingent on downhole results, resource evaluation, engineering design and approval from the Vietnamese government.

As the core development project in Block 15 1/05, the first phase of Lạc Đà Vàng comprises a central processing platform, wellheads and subsea injection/production systems, subsea pipelines and a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. Vietnam’s PTSC M&C is responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction, transportation, installation, hook up and commissioning of the central processing platform, with the topsides weighing approximately 6,500 tonnes and the jacket and piles about 4,600 tonnes.

As of August 2026, the topsides of the Golden Camel platform have been installed offshore, and the FPSO has been mobilised to its final operating location. First oil is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, with peak production expected at around 10,000 to 15,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Once operational, the platform will provide potential centralised processing and tie back infrastructure for nearby discoveries such as White Camel and Pink Camel.

The actual commercial value of North 1X will be determined by the drilling results. If a developable discovery is confirmed, the next phase is expected to include resource assessment, appraisal well placement, subsea tie back concept design and the relevant development plan approvals. If the well fails to meet commercial thresholds, it will serve as geological data for the block and help adjust subsequent exploration plans in Block 15 1/05.

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